Knowledge of research principles and methods applicable to the students’ topic of research.

A set of readings approved by your supervisors.

Course Description

This is an introductory course designed to help students develop the research skills required to competently undertake and complete PhD/Masters by Research level research projects. It will provide students with the training required to develop the skills to review and critically analyse extant theory (literature) on topics related to their research projects, justify the rationale for research, develop effective research designs for their projects, understand the role of theories in research, and learn to write research proposals. Students will acquire skills in both qualitative and quantitative research techniques and learn to report research findings (empirical work) with implications and draw conclusions

Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Research Training.

Upon successful completion of this course students will:

Understand research concepts and process;

Draw on the literature in the field, analyse and interpret research evidence published on a topic to establish a suitable research problem/issue or opportunity to explore further;

Having identified a suitable research problem/issue or opportunity, design the research study using a suitable paradigm, associated methodologies and methods of data collection and analysis;

Write a research proposal (research blueprint) describing the topic, making a case for research, using theories to underpin the research (if relevant), develop propositions/hypothesis, research framework/conceptual models if relevant, a fully justified research design, sampling and significance of the study. Resources required and a timetable for project completion.

Overview of Learning Activities

In order to develop the stated capabilities, you are expected to actively participate in the following learning activities:

Active participation in scheduled lectures and seminars;

Reading of course notes and chapters in the recommended text books;

Reading a set of academic publications for a critical review of literature;

Reading other assigned material; and

Satisfactory completion of assessment tasks.

Overview of Learning Resources

The Learning Hub (Blackboard) for this course will give you access to important announcements, staff contact details, teaching schedule, assessment timelines, and a variety of important teaching and learning material such as lecture notes, referencing information, literature review and analysis techniques, and other research related material. You are required to regularly visit the Learning Hub for this course.

Overview of Assessment

The course will use the following schedule of assessment tasks:

Literature Review: A critical review of literature – 35%Analysis of an academic publication: An analysis of an academic publication according to the guidelines provided in class - 15%Research Proposal: A completed research proposal for your study – 50%